For high school football coaches, practicing on Thanksgiving Day is a good thing. In the CIF-Southern Section, it means your team has reached the semifinal round of the playoffs.
Bishop Diego and Carpinteria are one step away from a Thanksgiving week of practices and a semifinal berth in the CIF Northwest Division playoffs. The No. 3-seeded Cardinals hit the road for the second straight week, traveling to Duarte for a Friday night quarterfinal game. Meanwhile, the Warriors (8-3) will be home against Pioneer League champion and fourth-seeded El Segundo (8-3) for a 7:30 kickoff.
Carpinteria coach Ben Hallock said he likes how his team playing at this stage of the season.
“I’m proud with the way we played,” he said after the first-round win at La Salle.
The Warriors have been receiving standout play from several players. Bryson Frazer has provided a spark at running back in place of Jonathan Esqueda, who is recovering from injuries he suffered when his car was broadsided three weeks ago.
The speedy Frazer also has played huge on defense and special teams.
“He’s made plays all over the field for us since he’s been back from an ankle injury,” said Hallock.
Senior captains Kevin Stein and Duncan Gordon have played solid on defense for the Warriors.
Senior quarterback and captain Ian Craddock has been rock steady all season. Against La Salle, he completed all of his passes and ran the Warriors’ option offense with great efficiency. He also intercepted a pass on defense.
“Our captains have helped bring this team together throughout the season and now in the playoffs,” said Hallock.
The Warriors will be looking to advance to the semifinal round for the first time since 2003. By coincidence, this year’s team and the 2003 team both finished fourth in the Tri-Valley League.
Carpinteria will be facing an El Segundo team that has a great passing combination. Quarterback Lars Nootbaar has thrown for 2,049 yards and 26 touchdowns, and wide receiver Jamie Stewart has caught 48 of those passes for 1,101 yards and 18 scores.
“That’s going to be a challenge to stop them, but we’re looking forward to it,” Hallock said. “We’ve been practicing and playing really well. Our guys have been, with the leadership we’ve been getting, doing a great job of preparing.
“Hopefully, if we win this week we’ll be practicing on Thanksgiving. That’s a big goal for us.”
Bishop Diego (9-2) at Duarte (7-4), 7 p.m. — Duarte has a couple of speedburners in running backs Sam Edwards and Jordan Johnson, who are gamebreakers. “They are wonderful open-field runners and Edwards is also an excellent receiver,” Bishop coach Tom Crawford said. “Their offense is designed to try and get the ball to athletes in space.” Darryl Robinson and Devyn Washington are also dangerous threats for the Falcons, who beat Olympic Leage champion Maranatha 27-20 in the first round. Duarte finished tied for second in the Montview League. Bishop is coming off a 34-0 win at North Torrance. The Cardinals are trying to advance to the semifinals for the third straight year. They have lots of playoff experience and are healthy. The pick: Bishop Diego.
El Segundo (8-3) at Carpinteria (8-3), 7:30 p.m. — The Warriors’ defense will be tested against a potent El Segundo passing attack, led by the combination of QB Lars Nootbaar and receiver Jamie Stewart. This game has the potential to be one of those shootouts in which the team that has the ball last wins. Playing in the rugged Tri-Valley League and senior leadership give Carpinteria an edge. The pick: Carpinteria.
